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May 2014

NEW EXHIBITIONS

La Grande Guerre: French prints of the First World War

20 May – 28 September

See French colour lithographs and woodcuts from the series La Grande Guerre, illustrating events of the first seven months of World War I. Scenes of action in the form of battles, sieges and air strikes are punctuated by moments of relative repose, including depictions of English and Scottish soldiers drinking tea and Indian soldiers at prayer.

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Discoveries
Art, Science and Exploration from the University of Cambridge Museums

27 May - 27 July

Following recent success at London’s Two Temple Place, the Fitzwilliam Museum is pleased to be able to display a smaller version of the Discoveries exhibition - the first major show to bring together the fascinating collections from all eight University of Cambridge Museums. Find objects that span millennia; from artworks to scientific artefacts, historic instruments to rare zoological specimens.

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LAST CHANCE TO SEE

Image["The Courtesan Somenosuke by Kitagawa Utamaro"]

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From root to tip: Botanical art in Britain

Until 11 May

Enjoy a selection of watercolours from the Fitzwilliam’s outstanding collection of botanical art. The show draws on over 300 years of work by both professional and amateur artists, tracing a history of flower drawing in Britain.

The Rampant Lions Press: A letterpress odyssey

Until 18 May

Inspired by the venerable tradition of private presses in England, the Rampant Lions Press was a small publisher of fine editions and a designer-printer for other publishers. The work of the Rampant Lions Press was the subject of a retrospective exhibition at the Fitzwilliam Museum in 1982. This exhibition displays a selection of their books produced since then.

HIGHLIGHT EVENTS

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Poussin’s Extreme Unction: Art and sacrament in an age of controversy

Thu 8 May: 18.30 – 20.30

Learn more about the subject of Nicolas Poussin’s moving masterpiece Extreme Unction and the historical context in which it was painted from Eamon Duffy, Professor of the History of Christianity, University of Cambridge. Includes a reception and an opportunity to view Poussin’s painting after the talk.
Free, but booking essential tel: 01223 332904 or email: education@fitzmuseum.cam. ac.uk

Image["River scene by moonlight by Cornelis Vermeulen"]

Museums at Night

Fri 16 May: 17.00 – 21.00

Come and explore the Fitzwilliam Museum and its world class collections after hours. Listen out for live music by a vintage skiffle band in the Courtyard, and song poems in Gallery 3. Learn about our conservation work with talks by Fitzwilliam staff, or take a unique ‘Exploring Boundaries’ tour of the Museum. Discover our galleries through trails and drawing activities, and don’t forget to stop for a break in our Courtyard Café and shop - open late. Visit the
Fitzwilliam Museum website for full details. For information about late night openings at other University Museums visit the
University Cambridge Museums website.
Free

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Italian Renaissance objects handling session

Fri 23 May: 13.00 – 14.00

Practice your Italian in this art and language event with Victoria Avery, Keeper of Applied Arts. Handle beautiful examples of Italian Renaissance bronzes and maiolica from the Fitzwilliam’s reserve collection and learn how and why they were made. In collaboration with La Dante Italian Cultural Centre, Cambridge. Booking essential tel: 01223 315191 or email: ladanteinfo@gmail.com

TALKS & DROP-IN EVENTS

Free. Admission by token, 1 per person, available at the Courtyard Entrance desk from 12.45 on the day. For our full season of talks and locations visit our
website.

History of Chinese art sales and collecting in the UK

Wed 14 May: 13.15 - 14.00

With Hajini Elias, MPhil student, Cambridge University.

Art Speak

Tue 20 May: 13.15 – 13.45

Enjoy half an hour looking at and talking about art. No token necessary.

ADULT COURSES & WORKSHOPS

Nicholas Hilliard’s art of the miniature

Sat 3 May: 15.00 - 16.30

Discover the working methods of Hilliard with Conservator and Artist, Philippa Abrahams. Artists’ materials will be available to view and the talk will be illustrated with slides of miniatures from the Fitzwilliam’s collection and Abrahams’ own work, which follows Hilliard’s techniques. Planned in collaboration with the 2014 Festival of the Voice, celebrating the 40th and final year of The Hilliard Ensemble.
£8 (£5 concessions and Friends of the Fitzwilliam Museum)

SKETCH - From root to tip: Botanical art in Britain

Fri 9 May: 10.15 – 12.15

Enjoy sketching? Join this friendly drawing group inspired by the Fitzwilliam’s exhibitions and collections. Bring your own sketchbook, pencils and ideas or borrow ours. This is not an artist led session.
£5

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Behind the doors and inside the drawers

Weds 14, 21 & 28 May: 14.30 - 15.30

Take a closer look at the furniture and long case clocks in our collection with the people who care for them: Margaret Clarke (Fitzwilliam Applied Arts Department) and Brian Jackson (British Horological Institute) who has fifty years’ experience of working with watches and clocks.
£25 (£15 concessions and Friends of the Fitzwilliam Museum)

MUSE: Colour and shape with mono printing, inspired by the Islamic collection

Fri 28 May: 10.15 – 12.00

Discover new ways of working at this artist led workshop inspired by Museum exhibitions and collections.
£10 per workshop

Family First Saturdays: Portraits

Visit our Fitz Family Welcome Point and collect drawing materials, activities and trails to use throughout the Museum.
Free, no booking required.

Making a mark

Sat 24 May: 10.30 – 12.30

Ages 5+ (under 8’s must be accompanied by an adult)

Explore the Museum’s collections through experimental drawing. Continue your drawing in our studio using a variety of materials on a gigantic scale.
£5 per child

Drawing together

Wed 28 May: 12.00 – 16.00

All Ages (under 8’s must be accompanied by an adult)

Drop-in and draw at the Museum with activities available from the Fitz Family Welcome Point.
Free, no booking required.

PROMENADE CONCERTS

Enjoy a free Sunday classical concert in the beautiful surroundings of Gallery 3 from 13.15 – 14.00. Admission is by token, 1 per person, available at the Founder’s Entrance desk on a first- come first-served basis from 12.00 on the day of the concert. Space is limited – no standing room available. Voluntary collection after each concert. Programmes may be subject to change.

Instrumental award holders for chamber music

4 May

A variety of works played by the very best undergraduate chamber musicians.

Join arts’ journalist Simona Verrazzo to learn about Italian art history and three of its masters. This course is run in Italian and celebrates the 450th anniversary of Michelangelo’s Death in 2014.
£180. For further information visit http://ladante-in-cambridge.org/cultural-events/ and to book email: marketingladante@gmail.com

SHOP FITZWILLIAM

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Floral Cards

Perfect for this Spring… two new botanical notelet packs of 10 (2 each of five designs), £4.99. And a selection of blank greetings cards, featuring illustrations from our root to tip exhibition, £2.25 each.
Available from the Fitzwilliam Museum, Botanic Garden, University Museums shop (King’s Parade) and online fitzwilliammuseum.org